Uma revisão do conceito de capacidade estatal na ciência política.

Abstract

How is the concept of state capacity articulated in political science? This study presents a systematic review of state capacity, exploring how this concept has been constructed, transformed, and applied over the decades. State capacity is understood as a multidimensional concept, encompassing coercive, fiscal, and administrative dimensions that are fundamental to the performance of state functions. The dissertation draws from classic authors such as Skocpol (1985), Tilly (1975), and Mann (1988), who emphasize the centrality of coercive power and bureaucracy, and engages with contemporary contributions, such as Besley and Persson (2008), Hendrix (2010), and Hanson and Sigman (2021), who expanded the analysis to include multiple interconnected dimensions. Using systematic review methodology and bibliometric analysis, the study mapped 196 articles and consolidated the main concepts of state capacity, revealing challenges such as the proliferation of definitions and the difficulty in constructing consistent indicators. The results highlight that, despite the lack of consensus, three main dimensions—coercive, fiscal, and administrative—are widely utilized in the literature. This study contributes to political science by synthesizing theoretical advances and identifying gaps in the understanding of state capacity, while reinforcing the relevance of the concept for analyses of development, governance, and public policies.